Highland Reservoir Liner Project

The City of Rochester is performing work at Highland Reservoir to comply with an Environmental Protection Agency drinking water regulation.

Project Background and Funding

In September 2006, the City of Rochester commissioned a study to identify and evaluate alternative methods to meet new regulations enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) is designed to improve water quality to the country’s uncovered drinking water reservoirs. The $3 million Highland Reservoir Liner project is the first of three phases of necessary improvements identified for the city to comply with LT2 requirements. Phases two and three will include the installation of a liner and floating cover on Rush Reservoir and the addition of UV disinfection at Cobbs Hill and Highland reservoirs. The total program is estimated to cost $23.5 million.